Marcus Rashford was unable to help Barcelona complete a comeback against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final
Marcus Rashford reacting after Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid(Image: Soccrates Images, Getty Images)
Barcelona and Marcus Rashford fell short in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday night despite a valiant effort. Having lost 4-0 to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their semi-final in February, Hansi Flick’s side won 3-0 at Camp Nou but it wasn’t quite enough for an improbable recovery.
Rashford, who missed the first leg due to injury, played 26 minutes as a substitute on Tuesday. Barca led 2-0 when he came on and added a third with less than 20 minutes left but couldn’t force extra time, with Rashford himself finding it hard to influence the match.
Marc Bernal was the standout performer for Barca in an attacking sense, scoring twice in a senior match for the first time in his career. Raphinha was also on target, converting a penalty just before half-time.
Despite the 4-3 aggregate loss, there are silver linings for Barcelona after they took advantage of Real Madrid’s struggles in La Liga over the weekend. However, for Rashford, a second game back after injury was seen by some Spanish media as an indication that he’s not quite back to his best yet.
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AS
AS acknowledged the magnitude of Barcelona’s challenge based on that first leg defeat. The publication recognised that the efforts of the starting XI would need to be supported by the substitutes if they were to maintain momentum but felt Rashford didn’t fulfil his side of the deal.
“Once again, it was Bernal, with four goals in the last four home games, who made it 3-0, turning the tie into a scorching hot affair. But by then, Barça had run out of steam,” they wrote.
“And the reinforcements Flick brought on, Rashford and [Dani] Olmo, were useless. [Centre-back Ronald] Araújo, in desperation, played as a centre forward, but nobody gave him a single ball despite Barcelona’s 16 corner kicks.”
Mundo Deportivo
Rashford’s appearance from the bench wasn’t deemed worthy of a great deal attention as Mundo Deportivo ran the rule over events at Camp Nou. However, the publication did summarise his limited influence in their player ratings.
‘Shy’ was the single-word assessment of the England star, before slightly more detail was provided. “He could have helped more in the final minutes with his shooting power and crosses, but his decision-making wasn’t very sharp,” Mundo Deportivo said.
Compare that with Fermin Lopez, the man whom Rashford replaced. He too failed to pose a threat in front of goal but was given some recognition for being “Better at winning back possession, with decisive and often successful pressing, than in attack”.
Marca
Marca’s assessment was a little more upbeat but also considerably briefer. “He came on in the 64th minute and played some good minutes,” their evaluation stated.
Nevertheless, Rashford was somewhat absolved given his absence from that agonising first leg defeat. “On February 12, Barça suffered a resounding 4-0 defeat at the Metropolitano , where they played one of the worst matches of the Hansi Flick era,” the same publication added in a match report.
“That setback severely damaged their chances of advancing. Although the fans in Barcelona dreamed of a comeback, the truth is that, as the minutes ticked by, the feat seemed increasingly utopian, and their elimination was finally confirmed.”
El Nacional
Much like Mundo Deportivo, El Nacional described Rashford as timid. Despite it being only his second match back following weeks on the sidelines, his failure to help orchestrate a comeback was noted, as were the struggles of his fellow subs.
“Marcus Rashford came on in the second half, but he wasn’t as bold as everyone expected. He lacked more belief in the comeback,” the Catalan outlet wrote.
Despite Barca’s attacking threat it was centre-back Pau Cubarsi who earned El Nacional’s player of the match accolade with a 10/10 performance. “A defender who has done his job perfectly and has confirmed that his great work against Atlético cannot be measured,” they wrote. “Attentive to all the cuts, starting plays and without giving any space to the rival forwards. Incredible match.”
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